All Square in Arizona: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Mexico

Michael Bradley and Chris Wondolowski Score First Half Goals for USA

MNTApr 2, 2014

GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 2, 2014) – Sporting their new away kits for the first time in 2014, the U.S. Men’s National Team players earned a 2-2 draw against longtime rival Mexico in front of 59,066 fans at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The USA scored twice in the first half with Michael Bradley tallying the game’s opening goal and then assisting Chris Wondolowski’s team-leading third goal of the year. With the draw, the USA increased its unbeaten streak to five games against Mexico (2-0-3 during its current stretch). The U.S. had held Mexico scoreless for 392 straight minutes until Rafael Marquez’s 49th-minute goal.

Next up for the USA is a three-game Send-Off Series in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The series starts with a May 27 match against Azerbaijan at 7 p.m. PT at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. (ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas and ESPN Deportes Radio). The U.S. MNT then hosts Turkey on June 1 at 2 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. (ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas, ESPN Deportes Radio) and Nigeria on June 7 at 6 p.m. ET at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. (ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMas, ESPN Deportes Radio). Fans can also follow the USA on Twitter @ussoccer.

The U.S. had a strong first half against Mexico and wasted no time gaining the upper hand. In the 15th minute, Graham Zusi, on the game’s first corner kick, delivered a perfect ball from the left side as Bradley separated himself from Mexico defender Jesus Eduardo Zavala at the far right post. Bradley played the ball off a short hop and directed it into the net for his 12th career goal and a 1-0 lead. It also marked the third time that Bradley scored off of a corner kick assist against Mexico. (SEE GOAL)

Wondolowski showed his forte of being at the right place, at the right time, when he added to the USA’s lead in the 28th minute. In the build-up, some sharp passes from Zusi and Clint Dempsey led to an attack from the right side as Tony Beltran crossed from the right flank. Bradley flicked a header to the left side of the box, where Wondolowski snuck behind Mexico’s Rogelio Alfredo Chavez with a right-footed toe poke goal. It was Wondolowski’s ninth goal of his career. (SEE GOAL)

It was a tale of two halves, however, as an emotional Mexico side responded early in the second half. Off of Marco Fabian’s right-footed corner kick from the left side, Marquez lost USA center back Omar Gonzalez on the set piece and had an open header from seven yards out, which he promptly placed into the left side of the net to cut the USA’s lead to 2-1 in the 49th minute. The goal was Marquez’s 15th for Mexico.

Alan Pulido then scored the equalizer in the 67th minute, rebounding off of Paul Aguilar’s initial strike, which ricocheted off of the left post. Pulido was the quickest to react, converging to tie the score at 2-2.

The match nearly ended in thrilling fashion when Eddie Johnson and the USA faithful believed they secured the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute. Johnson carved his right footed shot into the far right side of the goal, only to see his tally waived off when he was controversially ruled offside by the assistant referee.

Milestone Watch:

With his 12th career goal, Michael Bradley moved into a tie for 15th on the all-time U.S. MNT list with Frank Klopas and Clint Mathis.

Bradley, who made his first appearance of 2014, earned his 83rd career cap to move into sole possession of 22nd place on the all-time appearances list.
Bradley had been tied with Brad Friedel, Eddie Lewis and Eddie Pope who had 82 caps apiece.

The U.S. is now 17-32-14 all-time against Mexico and 12-5-5 since 2000.

The USA is now 2-0-1 all-time at University of Phoenix Stadium and 3-0-2 in Arizona.

With Clint Dempsey wearing the captain’s armband, the U.S. is 6-3-2.

Jurgen Klinsmann is now 28-11-8 at the helm of the U.S. MNT.

Klinsmann’s lineup Wednesday featured a 4-4-2 formation in front of goalkeeper Nick Rimando. The back line included Michael Parkhurst and Tony Beltran at
left and right back, respectively, with Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez paired at center back. Beltran made his third career appearance, and his first cap
since the USA’s 4-1 victory against Cuba on July 13, 2013, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The starting diamond midfield included Brad Davis and Graham Zusi on the left and right sides, Kyle Beckerman at holding midfield and Michael Bradley at
the top.

At forward, Dempsey and Chris Wondolowski were paired up front to start.

Klinsmann made several changes in the 59th minute, as Julian Green made his anticipated U.S. MNT debut when he entered for Davis. Landon Donovan replaced
Zusi and Goodson took over for Besler.

Eddie Johnson made his 63rd career appearance, replacing Wondolowski in the 64th minute.

In the 72nd minute, DeAndre Yedlin earned his second cap when he replaced Beltran, and Maurice Edu entered for Beckerman.